Entrepreneurs are being given the chance to win a share of a massive £30,000 prize fund with the launch of a business competition today.
Entrepreneurs are being given the chance to win a share of a massive £30,000 prize fund with the launch of a business competition today.
Local Business Legends - organised by the Renfrew Chamber of Commerce - is putting up the cash to help young people get their ideas off the ground.
The competition aims to find three top young entrepreneurs by offering the chance to win a major cash injection for their business, or their business idea, in one of three categories.
The winners of the Best Young Business, Best New Business and Best Innovative Business Idea, will share a £30,000 "legends' pot" which will be allocated on the merits of each proposal, in a similar way to the TV show Dragons' Den.
Judges Steve Clark of Clark Contracts; Iain Graham of Graham Technology; John McGlynn of Airlink Group and John McGuire of the Phoenix Car Company will run the rule over the entrants and mentor the winners.
The competition is primarily aimed at businesses in the Renfrewshire area - including Inverclyde - and people aged 18 to 35.
The main award - funded by Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, Renfrewshire Council and Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire - will be made only to applicants with businesses located in the Renfrewshire Council area.
Each winner will also be eligible for a £2000 training prize from Reid Kerr College.
But entrepreneurs from across the West of Scotland are eligible for the University of the West of Scotland £10,000 "Best in the West" package which has no upper age limit.
This prize could include the University's prestigious Master of Business Administration course or another training course that best suits the winner.
The Evening Times will be following the competition over the forthcoming weeks and reporting on who the eventual winners are.
Tom Johnston, President of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "The wider Renfrewshire and Inverclyde area are economic hot spots with an enormous amount of investment and business activity under way.
"It is very important that the existing business leaders encourage the next generation of business talent so that we can continue to foster further economic growth.
"This is an exciting new business competition that reflects the ambition we have for further economic success and for the importance of the next generation of young entrepreneurs."
Entries are being accepted now until April 14.
For details visit www.localbusinesslegends.com
